# US 5,699,576 A · Exterior window cleaning apparatus

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,699,576 A
- Document ID: US5699576A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/418,668
- Filed: 1995-04-07
- Granted: 1997-12-23
- Earliest claimed: 1995-04-07
- Assignees: Robert S. Tomko
- Inventors: Frank Sohaiby
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699576A

## CPC

- A47L 1/02: Power-driven machines or devices
- A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08)

## Abstract

The present invention is directed to a window cleaning device for large building that will clean multiple windows of the building in a single pass. The apparatus consist of a tubular housing having a water dispenser, scrubbing and window drying equipment within. The apparatus is lowered by cables from the top of the building and pivots from a guide track which is positioned along the buildings perimeter edges. The washing and drying equipment are retractable for disengagement with the window surface after cleaning allowing for repositioning of the device on the building for cleaning purposes.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A window cleaning apparatus for use on large buildings to clean windows thereof, said apparatus comprising; a plurality of identical interconnected hollow housing members together forming a chamber, a retractable window washing engagement means mounted within said chamber and to said housing members for retraction away from said windows into said chamber, a squeegee means extending from said window washing engagement means, said squeegee means retractable with said window washing engagement means away from said windows, a guide track adapted to be mounted on said building, cable support and deployment means adapted to be mounted on said buildings cables extending between and coupled to said deployment means and cable engagement brackets mounted on said housing members, a water spray means mounted on said housing members, means for interconnecting said housing elements to one another, wheel assemblies on some of said housing elements, one of said wheel assemblies registered in said guide track, said support and deploying means adapted to advance said window cleaning apparatus on said track.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A window cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said housing members are elongated open channel configurations in end to end aligned registration.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The window cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said retractable window washing engagement means comprises; a half arcuate sponge element, a nylon mesh cover on said sponge element positioned on a movable bracket within said housing members and a plurality of solenoid assemblies interconnected to said mounting bracket and a power source coupled with said solenoid assemblies.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The window cleaning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said squeegee means comprises; an elongated mounting frame, a resilient rubber blade coupled with said frame, interconnected brackets extending from said mounting frame and joined to said movable bracket within said housing elements by rods.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The window cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water spray means comprises; a water supply pipe coupled with said housing members, a plurality of longitudinally spaced spray nozzles interconnected with said pipe, said spray nozzles positioned as to spray water on the windows to be washed and a source of water under pressure coupled with said pipe.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The window cleaning device of claim 5 wherein said water supply pipe and associated interconnected spray nozzles are in oppositely disposed relation to said squeegee means with respect to said housing members.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The window cleaning assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for interconnecting said housing elements to one another comprising; interconnecting brackets securing said housings to one another in end to end relationship and wherein all said wheel assemblies, except said one wheel assembly, extend from said interconnecting brackets.